sit on one's hands

The idiom "sit on one's hands" suggests inaction or deliberate non-participation, often when action is expected or required.

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Definition

B2General

(informal, idiomatic)To remain inactive or avoid taking action when it is needed.

Example

The committee can't just sit on their hands; they need to address the issue immediately.
During the crisis, the leaders were criticized for sitting on their hands instead of taking decisive action.

C1Theater

(informal, idiomatic)To refrain from applauding when it is expected.

Example

The audience sat on their hands, showing their disappointment with the performance.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "sit on one's hands":

twiddle one's thumbs hold one's fire hold one's breath sit in hands off lie on the oars sit on sit under put one's hands up sit on it hold one's nose sit out sit still hold one's piss on someone's hands keep one's counsel sit upon with one hand tied behind one's back raise one's hand hold back sit back throw up one's hands put one's hand up hold one's water keep quiet put one's hands on sit for lift a finger throw hands dead hand